Kiwis at the Cup: Catherine Robinson, director, Kiwi Landing Pad

Catherine Robinson.

Q: San Francisco is suddenly packed with Kiwis and New Zealand companies. Has having an event like this in town created a buzz about the Kiwi Landing Pad office?

Absolutely. The great thing about yachting is it's such a graphic representation of what New Zealand industry is all about.

Q: When you first found out the America's Cup was going to be in San Francisco were you pretty excited?

Oh definitely. This is my home city and New Zealand is my home country so it was the best of both worlds for me.

Q: What's the event done for San Francisco?

Everywhere you go now people are talking about it. I was on the Muni (the tram) and got talking to a woman beside me and she was just so excited to talk about the America's Cup and how terrible she felt about the cheating scandal. There's a really nice level of understanding of how New Zealand has made themselves known in this city.

Q: We've heard a lot of stories about how the locals couldn't care less about the America's Cup, but from your perspective they're getting into it?

Absolutely. And they've all expressed that they wanted to be more so, but there wasn't the marketing and the advertising campaigns to really explain what it was all about. And it all just got so confusing in the lead-up to everything, it was really hard for people to get their heads around.

Q: What could having the Cup back in New Zealand do for the local economy?

Oh, I think it would be huge. I think the America's Cup is a lot more than a boat race - the potential spin-offs it can have into other sectors is massive. Obviously the big one is the marine sector and just for people to know that the boats out there were built by New Zealand companies, with New Zealand innovation is going to result in a huge boost.

Q: Were you much of a sailing fan before the Cup came to town?

I did a little bit of sailing when I was younger in Optimists in New Plymouth. Pretty tricky conditions, I have to say - I remember someone beside me capsizing. When the America's Cup rolls around I've always taken a bit of interest.

Q: Are you nervous about Team New Zealand's chances?

No, I'm confident.